Sit back and watch the pizzas fly - Fergie takes on his favourite sparring partner as United host Ar

Published: 29 Apr 2009 - 12:35:27

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Sit back and watch the pizzas fly - Fergie takes on his favourite sparring partner as United host Ar

For Arsenal v Manchester United in the Champions League last four, read Arsene v Sir Alex and the a blockbuster instalment of a bitter rivalry that has simmered and often boiled over for almost 13 years. Sportsmail chronicles the high and lows, tantrums and pizza throwing that have become a national institution. When the little-known Wenger came to Arsenal in 1996, Ferguson was quick to dismiss him. 'They say he's an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages! I've got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages,' the Scot famously quipped. Towards the end of the former Grampus Eight boss's first season in the Premier League, Ferguson made his continued contempt clear: 'He's a novice and he should keep his opinions to Japanese football.' But the next season, 1997-98, Arsenal won the Double after overturning Manchester United's 12-point lead. It was then their verbal jousting properly began, with the Frenchman's insistence on Arsenal being out of the title race infuriating Ferguson all the more when the Gunners won the title with two matches left.